A city–based NGO is set to organize a marriage meet for HIV–positive people

City–based NGO, WakeUp Pune, in association with Positive Saathi. Pune Zilla Agrawal Yuva
Sammelan, Aarogya.com and Deep Griha Society is organizing a marriage meet for people
living with HIV on August 1.

It is every citizen’s right, regardless of caste, creed, disease or physical disorder to choose a
life–partner. Wake Up Pune has taken a step ahead holding the meet. Dwijen Smart of the NGO
says, "It will provide a platform for all those who are HIV–positive to choose their partners. The
programme is also aimed at spreading awareness that eve people living with such disease can
get married and lead a healthy life."

There are a lot of socio–economic issues going with it. Women participating in this meet will be
reimbursed their conveyance expenses. "So far, we have received confirmation from over 80
people from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh," Dwijen adds.

Sanyogita Dhamdhere, state programme coordinator of the Centre for Advocacy and
Research, says, "People living with HIV can live a normal and healthy life. We strive to create
a positive mindest by spreading information about prevention, testing and treatment for HIV."

Dwijen says there is a misconception that children of an HIV–positive couple will also be HIV–
positive. However, science and technology has gone far ahead and produced medicines to rule
out such chances to around 90 per cent.

This meet would also discuss legal issues and medical help.

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